LOC23:27
20:27 GMT
BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (KUNA) -- The five members of the European Parliament
Delegation for Iran, who were shortly leaving to Iran on a visit from 31
October to 4 November 2011, learned Wednesday that the Iranian authorities
would not issue visas to the participants, Tarja Cronberg chair, Delegation
for Relations with Iran in the European Parliament, said in a statement here
tonight.
"This decision means that the visit is effectively cancelled, despite
considerable preparations and planning. No clear reasons were given for this
unexpected decision," noted the statement.
"The European Parliament's delegation was ready to engage in a constructive
dialogue with Iranian parliamentarians, government officials and
representatives of civil society on issues such as the nuclear programme,
human rights, drug related issues; energy and the environment; regional
security and the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iran," it said.
"The delegation very much regrets the fact that the Iranian authorities
chose to break off this timely opportunity for dialogue," it added.
The members of the delegation who were scheduled to travel came from five
of the political groups in the European Parliament. They were Tarja Cronberg
(Finland), Kurt Lechner (Germany), Cornelia Ernst (Germany), Kathleen van
Brempt (Belgium) and Marietje Schaake (Netherlands). (end)
nk.mt
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